Engine starting device



Dec. 13, 1927.

M. WILD ET AL ENGINE STARTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 30. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Invent ofis:

Dec. 13, 1927.

' 1,652,920 M. WILD ET AL ENGINE STARTING DEVICE Filed Au. :0, .1921 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FMLAQ Ihventors:

Max \A/iid.

Otto Goldberg. byfiy/ Their Attorney.

Patented Dec. 13, 1927.

sis sires MAX WILD, 0E srurr AE'r, AND or'ro GOLDBERG, 0FBERLILFNEUKOLLN, GERMANY, AssIGNoEs, BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 ECLIPSEMACHINE COMPANY, OF ELMIRA HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ENGINE-STARTING DEVICE.

Application filed August 30, 1921, Serial No. 496,925, and inGermanyAugust 15, 1916.

Our invention relates to engine starting devices, such as are commonlyemployed in starting the internal combustion engines of motor vehiclesor the like, and has for its general object an improved construct-ionand arrangement of parts.

More particularly our invention relates to engine starting devices whichare actuated by a motor and have a prnion or drivlng member adapted forengagement wlth a corresponding engine driven member (generally thefly-wheel) which members" as a rule are arranged for coupling, startingand uncoupling successively in an automatic manner.

Such devices, heretofore, have been either long and bulky or elserequire a large number of costly accessory parts to enable them tofunction as desired.

A specific object of our invention isthen to provide the necessarymechanism for such devices in a comparatively short structure andreduced to the simplest elements.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of ourinvention reference should be had'to the following detailed descriptionwhen taken no connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in section, of an engine starting deviceconstructed in accord ance with our invention; Fig. 2 is a section takenon the line aa, in Fig. 1; while Fig. 3 shows a detail; Fig. 1 is a Viewlike Fig.

' '1 of a modified form of our engine starting device; Fig. 5 is asection on the line b?) of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a view of a detail.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawing, 1 is an engine drivenmember, 2 is a driving member adapted to cooperate with and drive theengine member 1 for starting the engine, but is normally out ofcooperation therewith, and 3 is a member opera- .tively connected to ashaft 1 of a motor 5.

The members 2 and 3 have a slot and pin connection, the slot 6 (Fig. 3)being inclined with different inclinations 7 and 8 in different parts ofits length for a purpose whichwill be set forth hereinafter, although ifdesired, the inclinations of the slot may be constant throughout itslength as shown in Fig. 6. By reason of the inclined slot and pinconnection between the members 2.

end 3, the driving member 2 is operatively connected to the member 3 andto the shaft or pinion 9 and a hollow cylindrical portion 10. Thecylindrical portion 10 is telescoped with respect to the member 3, whichis also shown as a hollow cylinder. When the motor starts, thetelescoped parts are extended and the driving end of the pinion engagesthe engine driven member 1 to drive the same and thus crank the engine.In the construction illustrated, it will be seen that the driving end 9of the driving member extends beyond the motor shaft and does not ridethereon, but is supported entirely by the cylindrical portion 10.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 more in detail, the motor 5, preferably anelectric motor, has its shaft 4 terminating in a cone on which ismounted the cylindrical member 3 through the cooperation of sleeve 11;the cylinder or member 3 being provided with the inclined guide-slot 6and secured to the motor shaft by means of the nut 12. The pin or roller13 on the inner cylindrical portion or cylinder 10 of the driving memberengages the slot 6, the outside of which cylthe inner cylinder 10 isformed a groove 14:

in which are mounted the coupling members or dogs 15. The cylinder 10 isalso closed in by a plate 16, which prevents the entrance of impurities,and carries the driving end or pinion 9.

The cylinders 3 and 10 are surrounded by a casing 17 which terminates ina bushing 18. In the bushing is mounted a yielding detent in the form ofa ring 19 provided with an inner toothed portion. The ring 19 is pressedby a plurality of springs 20 and in the position of rest is engaged bythe dogs 15 on the inner cylinder 10.

The method of operation of the device is as follows: In the position ofrest the dogs 15 are in engagement with the teeth of the ring 19. On theclosing of the circuit to the electric motor it begins to rotate, butthe cylinder 3 offers resistance thereto, since it is connected by meansof the pin or roller 13 to the inner cylinder 10 and the latter iscauses a longitudinal displacement of the inner cylinder 10 by reason ofthe guide-slot 6, said displacement being facilitated and determined infurther movement by the sharp bend in the slot 6 from the portion 8 tothe portion 7, so that the pinion 9 can come into engagement with theteeth of the fly-wheel. By making the slot 6 with the portion 8 inclinedat a large angle with reference to the axis of the driving member andwith the portion 7, which is the position of the slot occupied by thepin 13 when the driving member is entering into cooperation with theengine member 1, inclined at a smaller angle with respect to the axis ofthe driving member, the entrance of the pinion 9 into mesh is easy witha low pressure. In other words, by virtue of the different inclinationsin the slot, the relative rotation of the actuating member and thedriving member causes the longitudinal movement of the driving member ina variable ratioin the present instance, such relative movement givingthe driving member an initial longitudinal movement at a slow speed anda subsequent longitudinal movement at an increased speed. If theengagement does not take place smoothly and one tooth strikes againstanother, then the inner cylinder, with the pinion, will rotate slightlyunder the influence of the toothed ring 19 and the springs 20, in orderto insure the proper engagement of the pinion 9 and gear 1. After theengagement has been made, the coupling members 15 come out of engagementwith the teeth of the ring 19 by the members 15 moving out from underthe ring 19, so that the lock is released and the electric motor,rotating freely, can transmit to the fiy-wheel the necessary speed forstarting. After the gas engine has started and reaches a certain speed,a person can neither voluntarily nor inadvertently actuate the startingdevice again before the motor stops, since the coupling members 15 areprevented from reengaging the teeth of ring 19 by centrifugal force. Themembers 15 remain inoperative and cannot again engage the teeth of ring19 until the motor stops.

In the modifications shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the driving member 2 has adriving end 9' and a cylindrical portion consisting of two concentriccylindical members 21 and 22 keyed together for relative longitudinalmovement, in place of the single cylindical portion 10 of Figs. 1 to 3inclusive. The advantage of dividing up this cylindrical portion of thedriving member in this way will be pointed out hereinafter. The slot 6is formed in the cylinder 21 and has a constant inclination throughoutits length without the sharp end referred to above.

Here the shaft 4. of the starting electric motor 5 ends, as shown inFig. 4, in a cone, on which is keyed a member 3. The member 3 is similarin shape to the member 3 of Fig. 1 and is fastened to shaft 4 by meansof the nut 12. Formed in the cylinder 3 is the slot 6, in which rolls aguidc-- as an abutment for the spring 24. The cylinder 21 has a bushingin which is formed a groove 14 in which are mounted the coupling membersor dogs 15'.

On the inner surface of the cylinder 21 is mounted the cylindricalportion 22 of the driving member 2, which is adapted, however, to beshifted only in a longitudinal direction because of the key or guidemember 25. The driving member 2 has a driving end or pinion 9. On thecasing of the electric motor is located a firmly seated casing 17' whichsurrounds the device and which is toothed on the interior at 26, inwhich teeth engage the coupling members or dogs 15. A cover plate 16 isfastened to the driving member, which prevents the entrance ofimpurities and prevents the driving member 2 from being forced out-bythe force of the spring 2 1.

The method of operation of the device shown in Figs. 4 to 6 is asfollows: Assuming that the main switch is closed and the electric motorbegins to rotate. the member 2 resists the movement of rotation, sinceit is held by the toothed rim through the agency ofthe pin 13, thecylinder 21 and the coupling members 15. By this means a longitudinalshifting of the cylinder21 is effected by reason of the resultingpressure of the guide slot 6; the pinion 9 comes into engagement withthe teeth of the fly-wheel member 1. After engagement, however. thecoupling members 15 are disengaged from the inner toothed portion 26 bythe members 15 moving out from under the ring 26 and the electric motorcan rotate freely and transmit to the fly-wheel the speed necessary forstarting.

This simple sequence of processes takes place only when the teeth of thepinion come readily into engagement with those of the fly-wheel rim. Thedevice acts just as re liabl'y, l'lOW(W(?1..lf the teeth strike one uponthe other. In this case, after the teeth meet end to end, the pinion 9will be arrested, but the cylinder 21 will, however, be moved alongfarther in a longitudinal direction. In this process the spring 24 iscompressed. and when the coupling members 15 are released from the innertoothed portion, the pinion is rotated as the motor starts and, by theforce of the compressed spring 2 1. is thrown, in the next favorableposition, into the teeth of the fly-wheel rim.

After the gas engine has started and starting device again before themotor stops, since the coupling members 15. are turned back into thegroove 14 through the effect of centrifugal force, and only come outagain when the motor stops, and reestablish the connection with theinner toothed portion 26 which is necessary for the renewed actuation ofthe device.

A further advantage of this construction consists in the possibility ofproviding the engagement-making pinion with the smallest possible numberof teeth for the purpose of favorable transmission conditions, sincethere restrictedin the choice of recognized equiva- I lents except asdefined in our claims hereunto annexed.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is

1. In a starter for gas engines and the like comprising, in combinationwith a driven member operatively connected with ancengine, a drivingmember adapted to cooperate withand drive the other member but normallyout of cooperation therewith, a member cooperating with said drivingmember, said driving member and said member cooperating therewith havinga slot and pin connection, said slot having different inclinations indifferent parts of its length.

2. In a starter for gas engines and the like comprising, in combinationwith a driven member operatively connected with an engine, a drivingmember adapted to co operate with and drive the other member butnormally out of cooperation therewith, a

member cooperating with said driving member, one of said last mentionedmembers having a slot and the other of said members having a pincooperating with said slot, said slot having different inclinations indifferent parts of its length.

3.' In a starter for gas engines and the like comprising, in combinationwith a driven member operatively connected with an engine, a drivingmember adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member but normallyout of cooperation therewith, a member cooperating with said drivingmember, one of said last mentioned members having a slot and the otherof said members aving a pin cooperating with said slot, the portion ofsaid slot occupied by said pin when said driving member is entirely outof cooperation with said driven member being inclined at a large anglewith respect to the axis of said driving member, and the portion of saidslot occupied by said pin when said driving member is entering intocooperation with said driving member being inclined at a smaller anglewith respect to the axis of said driving member.

4. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motor;having a shaft, a driven member, a driving member adapted to cooperatewith and drive the other memher but normally out of cooperationtherewith, said driving member having an extending portion of a diametergreater than that of such driving member, a member concentric with themotor shaft and operatively connected thereto, said extending portion ofsaid driving member being encompassed by and operatively connected tosaid member mounted on the motor shaft and having a sliding fit forlongitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, saidextending portion and last named member being normally nested withineach other concentrically of the motor shaft.

5. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving a shaft, a driven member, a driving member adaptedto cooperatewith and drive the other member but normally out of cooperationtherewith, said driving member having a hollow extending portion of adiameter greater than that of such driving member, a member con centricwith the motor shaft and operatively connected thereto, said extendingportion of said driving member being encompassed by and operativelyconnected to said member mounted on the motor shaft and having a slidingfit for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith.

6. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving a shaft, a driving member having a driving end extending beyondthe end of said shaft and a hollow cylindrical portion of a diametergreater than that of such driving member, said cylindrical portion beingoperatively connected to the end of said shaft and having a sliding fitfor longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith.

7. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving a shaft, a member of shell form concentric with and encompassingsaid shaft and driven therefrom, a. driving member having its drivingend extending beyond the end of said shaft and a hollow portionconcentric with and telescoping the end of said shaft and operativelyconnected to said first mentioned member and having a sliding fit forlongitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, saidportion being of a diameter greater than that of said driving end of thedriving member.

8. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving a shaft, a member of shell form concentric with and surroundingthe end of said shaft and driven therefrom, a driving member having itsdriving end extending beyond the end of said shaft, said driving memberhaving a hollow portion concentric with and telescoping the end of saidshaft and telescoped with respect to and operatively connected to saidfirst mentioned member for longitudinal movement thereof and rotarymovement therewith, said portion being of a diameter greater than thatof said driving end of the driving member.

9. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving an end head and a shaft journaled in said end head, said shaftextending beyond the same, a member of shell form concentric with andsurrounding the end of said shaft and driven therefrom, and a drivingmember having its driving end extending beyond said end of said shaft,and a portion concentric with and telescoping the end of said shaft andoperatively connected to and having a sliding fit with said firstmentioned member for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movementtherewith, said portion being of a diameter greater than that of saiddriving end of the driving member.

10. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving an end head and a shaft journaled in said end head, said shaftextending beyond the same, a member of shell form concentric with andsurrounding the end of said shaft and driven therefrom, and a drivingmember having its driving end extending beyond said end of said shaft,said driving member having aportion concentric with and telescoping theend of said shaft and telescoped and having a sliding fit with respectto and operatively connected to said first mentioned member forlongitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, saidportion being ofa diameter greater than that of said driving end of thedriving member.

11. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, acylindrical member, means whereby said cylindrical member is driven, adriving member having a driving portion and a hollow cylindricalportion, a second cylindrical member mounted in said first mentionedcylindrical member for longitudinal moven'ient thereof and rotarymovement therewith, said cylindrical portion of said driving memberbeing mounted in said second cylindrical member.

12. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, acylindrical member, means whereby said cylindrical member is driven, adriving njien'iberhaving a driving portion and a hollow cylindricalportion, a second cylindrical member mounted in said first mentionedcylindrical member for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movementherewith, said cylindrical portion of said driving member being mountedin said second cylindrical member for limited longitudinal motion withrespect thereto.

13. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, acylindrical member, means whereby said cylindrical member is driven, adriving member having a driving portion and a hollow cylindricalportion, a second cylindrical member mounted in said first mentionedcylindrical member forlongitudinal movement thereof and rotary movementtherewith, said cylindrical portion of said driving member being mountedin said second cylindrical member for limited yielding longitudinalmotion with respect thereto.

ll. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, an enginemember, a cylindrical member, means whereby said cylindrical member isdriven, a driving member lmving a driving portion and a hollowcylindrical portion, a second cylindrical member mounted in said firstmentioned cylindrical member for longitudinal movement thereof androtary movement therewith, said cylindrical portion of said drivingmember being mounted in said second cylindrical member for limitedlongitudinal motion with respect thereto, and a spring urging saiddriving member toward said engine member. i

15. In a. starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, anengine member, a cylindrical member, means whereby said cylindricalmember is driven, a driving mem ber having a driving position and ahollow cylindrical portion, a second cylindrical member mounted in saidfirst mentioned cylindrical member for longitudinal movement thereof androtary movement therewith, said cylindrical portion of said drivingmember being mounted in said second cylindrical member for limitedlongitudinal motion with respect thereto, and a spring between saiddriving member and said second cylindrical member for urging saiddriving member toward said engine member.

16. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, acylindrical member, means whereby said cylindrical member is driven, adriving member having a driving end and a cylindrical portion, saidcylindrical portion of said driving member being telescopcd and having asliding fit with re spect to said cylindrical member and operativelyconnected thereto for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movementtherewith.

17. In a starter for gas engines or the like, in combination, a drivenmember, a member, means whereby said last mentioned member is driven, adriving member adapted to cooperate with and drive said first mentioneddriven member but normally out of cooperation therewith, said drivingmember being operatively connected to said second ment thereof androtary movement therewith, and means for normally holding said drivingmember against rotation, said means being rendered inoperative bycentrifugal force when said driving member reaches a certain speed.

18. In a starter for gas engines or the like, -1n COIIlblDatlOIl, adrlven member, a member,

means whereby said last mentioned member is driven, a driving memberadapted to cooperate with and drive said first mentioned driven memberbut normally out of co-operation therewith, said driving member be ingoperatively connected to said second mentioned member for longitudinalmovement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and a centrifugallyoperated ratchet mechanism for normally holding said driving member,

againstrotation, said mechanism being rendered inoperative bycentrifugalforce when sald 'drlvlng member reaches a certa1n speed.

19. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving a shaft, a 'drivingmemberhaving a driving end eX- tendingbeyond-the end of said shaft and a hollow cylindrical portion, saidcylindrical portion being operatively connected to the end of said shaftfor longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, andmeans for normally holding the driving member against rotation.

20. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving a shaft, a driving member having a driving end extending beyondthe end of said shaft and a hollow cylindrical portion, said cylindricalportion being operatively connected to the end of said shaft forlongitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and meansfor holding the driving members against rotation, said means beingoperative when the driving member is disengaged from the driven memberand inoperative when it is engaged therewith.

21. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving a shaft, a drivin member having a driving end extending eyond theend of said shaft and a hollow cylindrical portion, said cylindrical'portion being operatively connected to the end of said shaft forlongitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, astationary casing, and means cooperatmg between such casing and the(lIlV- ing member for normally holding such driving member againstrotation, said means comprising a ratchet ring on the casing, andratchet teeth carried by the driving member.

23. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving a shaft, a driving member having a driving end extending beyondthe end of said shaft and a hollow cylindrical portion, said cylindricalportion being operatively connected to the end of said shaft forlongitudinal movement thereofand rotary movement there with, and aclutch for normally holding the driving member against rotation, onemember of the clutch being fixed and the other being carried bythedriving member.

24. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motorhaving a shaft, a driving member having a driving end extending beyondthe end of said shaftand a hollow cylindrical portion, said cylindricalportion being o'peratively connected to the end of said shaft forlongitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and'aclutch for'normally holding the driving member against rotation, onemember of the clutch having a limited yielding rotary movement and fixedwith respect to longitudinal movement, and the other clutch member beingcarried by the driving member.

25. In a starter for gas engines and the like, a drive including anactuating member, and a driving member comprising an element normallyout of engagement with a member of the engine to be started but adaptedto be moved into such engagement, and also comprising an extension ofshell form into which a part of the actuating member projects, andhaving a slot and pin connection with said actuating member.

26. In a starter for gas engines and the like, a drive including anactuating member, and a driving member comprising an element normallyout of engagement with a member of the engine to be started but adaptedto be moved into such engagement, and also comprising an extension ofshell form into which a part of the actuating member projects and havinga slot and pin connection with said actuating member, said extensionbeing adapted to telescope the actuating member.

27. In a starter for gas engines and the like, a drive including anactuating member, and a driving member comprising an element adapted toengage a member of the engine to be started, said element being normallyout of engagement therewith but adapted to be moved into suchengagement, and also comprising an extension of shell form and having aslot and pin connection with said actuating member, said slot havingdifferent 7 operating between such casing and the drivinclinations indifl'erent parts of its length.

28. In a starter for gas engines and the like, a drive including anactuating member, and a driving member comprising an element adapted toengage a member of the engine to be started, said element being normallyout of engagement therewith but adapted to be moved into suchengagement, and also comprising an extension of shell form and having aslot and pin connection with said actuating member, said extensionhaving the slot which has different inclinations in different parts ofits length, and the actuating member having the pin.

29. A starter for gas engines including a driving member mounted forlongitudinal movement for engagement with a part of the engine to bestarted, an actuating member and means cooperating with said members forcausing said longitudinal movement in a variable ratio.

30. A starter for gas engines including a driving member mounted forlongitudinal movement for engagement with a part of the engine to bestarted, an actuating member,

and means cooperating. with said members for giving such driving memberan initial longitudinal movement at a slow speed and a subsequentlongitudinal movement at an increased speed. Y

31. A starter for gas engines including a driving member mounted forlongitudinal movement for engagement with a part of the engine to bestarted, and an actuating member drivingly connected thereto by pin andslot connection, such slot being inclined whereby relative rotation ofsaid members causes longitudinal movement of the driving member in avariable ratio.

32. An engine starter drive comprising a driving shaft, a pinion freelymounted for rotary and axial movement on said shaft and a pin and camconnection between said shaft and pinion, the cam being so shaped thatwhen the shaft rotates with respect to the pinion, the cam coacts withthe pin to move the pinion axially at a gradually and progressivelyincreasing velocity until the pinion is in mesh with a gear of theengine to be started.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this second day ofAugust, 1921.

' MAX WILD.

OTTO GOLDBERG.

